The choice to experience life in a whole new and unknown land is like getting into a great big swimming pool for the very first time. It’s at once exciting and frightening. At least that’s how it was for me.
Oh yes, I had been to Bali three times already — but as a tourist. This was a whole different ballgame, as I’ve mentioned before. I guess what got me to the point of actually following through to the reality was the fact that I was so busy for the two months leading up to the move, that I just rolled with the momentum. This was to be a permanent move for hubby and me (at least for the plannable, foreseeable future). So it was necessary to finalize any and all pending business, legal and personal matters, making reliable arrangements for all the rest. This included disposing of personal belongings that could not or would not be taken along… a lot of agonizing decisions, some of them just downright painful. Things I could not part with went into storage, to be dealt with on some future return visit.
And the family (below) and friends that were left behind — the poignant goodbyes and farewells…
Home Family Gathering
Our first Bali Family
We knew no one over here, except for our Balinese friend/driver/tour guide, Wayan and his family (above right), and a couple from California we had met on our last visit here. We met many Balinese people along the way during our first year and a half, mostly in the course of doing business and trying to locate necessities. Oh, and we became friends with our (American) neighbor when we finally contracted a villa. It probably took us that long to get settled in comfortably, what with the needed renovations and household necessities. So we were basically on the road every day, running errands.
Then, suddenly, it happened! We started meeting other westerners (as well as easterners) who were living among us all along. It was at times a whirlwind of activity and new acquaintances. So many other expats — who would have known? From everywhere! California, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Utah, Indiana, DC, Washington (state), Canada, Australia, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Greece, South Africa, Germany, England, Ireland, Nigeria, India, Japan, China, Iceland, Vanuatu, Philipines – just everywhere. These are all people (including the Americans) that we never would have met or known had we stayed in our cozy familiar little corner of the world.
It is so interesting to be able to know so many people from so many different parts of the world. Not only does it reinforce the perception that people everywhere are still just people, but it infuses a sense of camaraderie unlike any other. All share, to some degree, that sense of adventure/curiosity that allowed us to make the leap… a huge risk by the standards of so many… but so rewarding an experience. Whenever I stop to contemplate, I’m always reminded of the Dr. Seuss book ” Oh, the Places You’ll Go (and the People You’ll Meet)!”
Merry Adventure 